BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Birmingham has limited the power of Jefferson County sewer system receiver John S. Young, who wanted to remain in complete control of the insolvent system.

Judge Thomas Bennett issued an memorandum opinion this afternoon.

His decision means that Bennett -- and not state court-appointed Young -- has jurisdiction in matters involving the sewer system. The decision gives county officials a victory in their struggle with Young, who had advanced the possibility of steep hikes for ratepayers.

Bennett rejected Young's request to be exempt from the automatic protection from creditors that typically comes with a bankruptcy filing.

With "the filing of the county's Chapter 9 case, the real and personal properties constituting its sewer system were no longer in the possession or custody of the Alabama receivership court," the opinion says.

Young's powers will be limited to paying creditors from the sewer system's net revenue.